In all the excitement of setting up shop, don’t forget this crucial piece of equipment.
You need the best disinfectant for tattoo studios.
To an artist, the tattoo machines and inks probably seem more important. But you must have a way to sanitize your workplace.
Neither you nor your clients will appreciate getting infected by a blood-borne pathogen like hepatitis or HIV.
These days, you’ve also got to protect against the coronavirus.
While we’re sure your local health department will be happy to send you a copy of the rules and regulations, we can help with a quick overview here.
So, put down the Lysol and the hand sanitizer. We’re going to show you potent tattoo sanitation supplies and disinfectant wipes to keep your studio clean and safe.
What can you use to disinfect a tattoo studio?
OSHA requires the decontamination of tattoo equipment and working surfaces. They recommend EPA-registered disinfectants that are effective against viruses like HIV and HBV.
They must be appropriate for cleaning contaminated surfaces and cleared by the FDA (1).
If the disinfectant says it can kill tuberculosis, it’s one of the best on the market. That’s because any product that can eradicate TB can also kill hepatitis B and C and HIV (2).
If you’re not sure, check the label. It should say something about the cleaner being an “EPA-registered product” followed by a series of numbers. You can use that information to check the EPA’s website and confirm it.
What surfaces in a tattoo studio need disinfection?
When you clean the studio, you must disinfect the client chair, the counter or table, and any other surfaces that may have come in contact with blood.
This includes the floor, cables, tattoo machines, and so on.
Pay attention to the disinfectant’s directions because it will say how long it has to sit on the surface to finish killing the germs. Some only need a few seconds, but others need 10 or 15 minutes.
On the upside, some things you can cover with plastic protectors. Others you can soak in disinfectant, then sterilize in an autoclave.
Can you use bleach to disinfect a tattoo studio?
Yes, you can use liquid bleach to clean your shop. It’s cheap, right?
But there’s a problem. Bleach is corrosive and will eventually destroy metal and other surfaces. It also leaves a residue, and it stinks to high heaven.
You may spend a little more on a commercial-grade disinfectant, but it’s worth getting something that doesn’t need to be rinsed, won’t destroy the furniture, and doesn’t smell so bad.
Can you use green soap to disinfect a tattoo studio?
Green soap is handy for sanitizing the skin before tattooing. You can also use it to scrub equipment before sterilizing it. But don’t rely on it as the regular disinfectant.
You can get more information about preventing contamination and infection with blood-borne pathogens from the local and national health departments (3).
Best Disinfectant for Tattoo Studios in 2024
Now, let’s look at the best disinfectants for equipment in a tattoo studio.
Madacide FDW Wipes
Madacide wipes are fast-drying. They’re used in hospitals, nursing homes, and doctors’ offices because they are effective, easy to use, and affordable.
What are the magic ingredients? The formula is simple: isopropyl alcohol, 2-Butoxyethanol cationic surfactant, and water. It’s a broad-spectrum disinfectant that kills blood-borne pathogens like hepatitis as well as skin bacteria like MRSA.
The wipes are also effective against tuberculosis, influenza, SARS, and fungi. What’s more, even though they kill microbes, they are non-toxic to humans.
Use them to clean steel, rubber, plastic, aluminum, cement, and brass as the formula won’t corrode metal. They’re handy for disinfecting tattoo artist workstations.
Also, the wipes are biodegradable and packed in a handy pop-top container.
Madacide-1
Madacide liquid is alcohol-free, however. It’s ready to use; no mixing is needed. Just pour it into a spray bottle and start wiping.
This multipurpose disinfectant kills tuberculosis, salmonella, HIV, mildew, and mold. It won’t corrode metal or stain surfaces. Plus, it’s biodegradable and non-toxic to humans.
On the downside, it requires a contact time of 10 minutes at room temperature to effectively sanitize surfaces.
Diversey Envy 04531 Foaming Disinfectant Cleaner
In 3 minutes, the Envy disinfectant kills 99.9% of viruses like hepatitis A and B, HIV, and influenza on hard surfaces. Spray it, and it foams away grime, too. It’s one of our top picks for disinfecting the tattoo studio because you can use it everywhere on pretty much everything.
This is a quaternary-based disinfectant that also works against MRSA, fungi, and mildew. It can remove food residue and blood at the same time it gets rid of foul odors. After cleaning, your studio will smell like lavender.
The fact that it’s a foaming cleaner means that it’s convenient for cleaning vertical surfaces. It clings while it dissolves grime.
We won’t tell anyone if you buy this stuff to use at home, not just in your tattoo studio. After all, it’s safe for the kitchen and bathroom, too. It won’t damage painted surfaces, plastic, vinyl, stainless steel, aluminum, porcelain, or chrome.
ServprOXIDE Residential, Commercial & Hospital-Grade Non-Bleach Surface Disinfectant
This EPA-register disinfectant gets rid of 99.999% of bacteria and viruses. Moreover, it’s non-toxic and safe for use around equipment used to prepare food. That’s good news if you forget and lay your sandwich down on the counter.
It’s a biodegradable surfactant that can sanitize hard and soft surfaces. You can use it on countertops, client chairs, and carpets. It won’t leave stains or break down dyes.
It comes in a gallon bottle that’s ready to use without dilution. Pour it into a spray bottle, and you’re ready to work. (You don’t even need to wear gloves).
Within 60 seconds, it eliminates germs on non-porous services. And yes, it cleans and disinfects at the same time.
Metrex Research 01CD078128 Cavicide Disinfectant/Cleaner
Cavicide is an EPA-registered product that kills lipophilic and hydrophilic viruses, fungi, and bacteria. It destroys MRSA, HBV, and HCV, among other germs.
This is a cleaner you’re likely to see used in operating rooms, laboratories, and the NICU. That’s because it’s non-toxic to humans yet kills germs on contact.
It has no fragrance and does not require rinsing.
Cavicide Trigger Spray
Save yourself the effort and get this version of Cavicide in a spray bottle. It’s recommended for painted surfaces, plastic, stainless steel, chrome, Plexiglas, glass, rubber, and other non-porous surfaces. It’s not suitable for fabric.
This hospital disinfectant prevents cross-contamination by killing TB in 5 minutes and hepatitis B in 3 minutes. Please wear gloves to protect your skin.
CaviWipes – Cavicide Germicidal Cleaner Wipes
CaviWipes eliminate HIV, MRSA, and hepatitis in 2 minutes and tuberculosis in 3 minutes. The active ingredients are isopropanol and dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride.
The nonwoven towelettes resist tearing and bunching while in use. Use them on non-porous, hard surfaces like countertops.
Reviewers recommend using gloves while using this cleaner.
Glissen Chemical Nu-Foamicide All-Purpose Cleaner Concentrate
When it says “concentrate”, it’s a disinfectant that must be diluted before use. In this case, add either 4 or 8 ounces of Nu-Foamicide per gallon of water.
The amount of concentrate you use depends on how dirty the surface is as this product both cleans and disinfects. For maximum effectiveness, be sure to make up a fresh solution every day.
It’s an American-made commercial-grade cleaner suitable for everything from gyms and schools to restaurants and tattoo studios. It’s EPA-registered because it kills a wide range of blood-borne pathogens and germs, including HIV and hepatitis.
Leave it on a non-porous surface for at least 60 seconds to sanitize. For disinfection, leave it for 10 minutes. Afterward, you don’t need to rinse.
It has a citrus fragrance.
BenzaRid Hospital Grade Disinfectant
If hospitals use it to kill viruses and MRSA, it’s good enough for a tattoo studio. This EPA-registered disinfectant also gets rid of fungi and black mold, making it a favorite of professionals who clean up after floods.
It’s odorless, and it won’t stain surfaces, but you won’t want to get it on your skin or breathe in the mist. It takes 10 minutes to wipe out HIV and hepatitis.
Use it only on non-porous surfaces like furniture, floors, walls, windows, mirrors, and countertops. Decant it into a spray bottle as it’s ready to use without dilution. Then, let it air-dry, or wipe off the excess after the appropriate amount of time has passed.
For the curious, the active ingredient is dimethyl ammonium chloride.
Diversey Virex One-Step Disinfectant Cleaner Deodorant, Mint Scent
Virex is a concentrated disinfectant designed for cleaning floors and other hard surfaces. It’s hospital-grade because it eliminates HBV, MRSA, herpes simplex, HIV, and other pathogens.
You’ll need to dilute it before using it. The recommended ratio is 1:256, which makes for complicated math. It’s just as well that it comes with a built-in dispenser that provides the correct amount according to how many gallons of water in the bucket.
Barbicide Concentrate TB
Yes, this is a disinfectant that barbers and stylists use in salons. It kills tuberculosis, HIV, and other problematic pathogens.
Furthermore, you can dilute it to wipe down vinyl client chairs, countertops, and metal surfaces and equipment. Add 1 ounce to a gallon of water. Thankfully, it has a pleasant fragrance.
Opti-Cide Max
Don’t ruin your expensive equipment with corrosive formulas. This disinfectant is safe for plastic, aluminum, steel, acrylic, Formica, and powder-coated surfaces.
It’s EPA-registered for hospital-level use because it kills dangerous pathogens in just one or two minutes. These include MDRO ESKAPE (drug-resistant) microorganisms, tuberculosis, viruses, and fungi.
The active ingredients include alcohol and quaternary ammonium compounds.
Micro-Scientific Opti-Cide Max Disinfecting Wipes
Get the power of Opti-cide with the convenience of disposable wipes. They eliminate pathogens like TB in 2 minutes and other microorganisms in only 30 seconds.
They are safe to use on electronics, steel, plastic, sinks, and many other surfaces.
Disposable equipment to maintain a sanitary tattoo studio
These items help cut down on the amount of stuff you have to sanitize between clients.
Disposable Dental Bibs
Can you guess why these disposable table cloths are black? They won’t show the blood.
They come 125 to a pack. Each one features 2-ply tissue with a plastic backing. They resist tearing, yet they absorb excess ink and fluid.
Hisight Tattoo Clip Cord Covers
Slip these blue plastic sleeves over cords and rotary pens to keep them clean and reduce the number of times you have to wipe them.
There are 200 sleeves to a bag, which means you spend only pennies.
Tattoo Ink Caps Cups – Yuelong
These transparent ink caps are size #9, which is small. You can also get them in larger sizes. They come 1000 to a bag.
The plastic is shaped with a thick lip to keep the ink from spilling.
Dragonhawk Black Tattoo Needles Tubes
You’re always going to need more needles and tubes. These have a nifty grip that’s anti-slip and cushioned.
The needles are 304 stainless steel and come in assorted sizes, including round shaders, round liners, and magnums.
Scott Shop Towels
These durable paper towels don’t fall apart when they get wet. They are excellent for wiping down surfaces with disinfectant. Then, toss them in the trash; there’s no need to do laundry.
The towels are perforated and come on a roll. If you prefer, the same company also makes a pop-up dispenser.
Adenna SHD936 Shadow 6 mil Nitrile Gloves
These gloves are latex-free and powder-free to prevent allergic reactions. They have a textured surface for better grip, and they’re thick. They won’t tear or puncture easily.
Viscot FINE TIP 100 Mini Piercing & Tattoo Skin Markers
Avoid spreading bacteria and contaminants between clients by using disposable skin markers. These have Gentian Violet ink that stands up to wiping and scrubbing.
Conclusion
It’s easy to maintain a clean workspace with the right disinfectant. Choose a cleaner that sanitizes your equipment and furnishings without damaging them.
We’d love to know if our reviews helped you find the best tattoo supplies today. Please leave us a comment below.
Sources:
1. https://www.osha.gov/bloodborne-pathogens accessed January 14, 2021
2. https://www.oshatrain.org/courses/mods/607m2.html accessed January 14, 2021
3. https://www.nationalcprassociation.com/pdf/Bloodborne_Pathogens.pdf accessed January 14, 2021